garden oracle

Australian Magickal Moon Gardening this WeekSaturday6th and Sunday 7th JulyThe Waxing Moon is in Virgo will mean that fruit and root crops should be doing very well. Do not preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants.

Monday 8th JulyThe Moon gardening information continues on the same for today from Saturday and Sunday, but you should see that flowering plants are at their best today.

Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th JulyThe moon moves in Libra and this means you should refrain from watering. Planting and sowing flowering herbs and plants iOS best done on these days. Still good period until Thursday for the development of flowers.

Thursday 11th and Friday 12th JulyGreen leafy plants, especially vegetables will be doing well from today into next week. With the still Waxing Moon making its way into Scorpio, now will be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days.

USA Magickal Moon Gardening this WeekSaturday6th and Sunday 7th JulyThe Waxing Moon is in Virgo and root crops should be doing very well. Do not harvest or preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants. Flowers will be developing well on Sunday.

Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th JulyOver these days refrain from watering unless sowing and planting. Flowers do very well being sown and planted at this time as the Moon moves through Libra. Most other plants and seeds will also benefit by being planted now if it is appropriate for their type.

Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th JulyOn Wednesday you should find that flowers are at their best and both days, leafy plants are enjoying very favourable conditions for growth. The Waning Moon is In Scorpio and this will mean that watering can be done freely and it's a very good time to sow, transplant and plant leafy plants, especially vegetables.

Friday 12th JulyGreen leafy plants, especially vegetables will be doing well from today into next week. With the still Waxing Moon still in Scorpio, now will be also be the best time to mow lawns as well as trim plants that require it. Watering of all plants, including those indoor, that need it is favourable on these days.

UK Magickal Moon Gardening this WeekSaturday6th and Sunday 7th JulyThe Waxing Moon is in Virgo and root crops should be doing very well. Do not harvest or preserve fruits during this time, but you will find that transplanting, repotting, along with sowing and planting out garden beds will result in stronger and healthier plants. Flowers will be developing well on Sunday.

Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th JulyOver these days refrain from watering unless sowing and planting. Flowers do very well being sown and planted at this time as the Moon moves through Libra. Most other plants and seeds will also benefit by being planted now if it is appropriate for their type.

Wednesday 10th, Thursday 11th and Friday 12th JulyOn Wednesday you should find that flowers are at their best and both days, leafy plants are enjoying very favourable conditions for growth. The Waning Moon is In Scorpio and this will mean that watering can be done freely, including indoor plants and it's a very good time to sow, transplant and plant leafy plants, especially vegetables as well as mowing lawns.

The interpretations of the Luna Calendar and Gardening are written by Cheralyn Darcey. Sharing is permitted in original form.

When things are feeling a little out of your control, a bunch of Statice will calm, help ground and centre energies and also help you find a way to cope and adapt. I often tuck a little flower into my locket for just that purpose!

To Give FlowersIn the Language of Flowers, Statice say: ‘I miss you’, ‘I will remember you’, ‘be still’, ‘calm down’, ‘time for change’. Statice were a traditional funeral flower and can still be used to express sympathy. They do not indicate grief but rather remembrance and help impart comfort, hope and calm.

Botanical HistoryStatice is native to Russia, Bulgaria, Algeria, Turkenstan and theMediterraniean, depending on species. The names come to us from the Greek word for meadow ‘leimon’ – Limonium and ‘Statice’ meaning to stand’. This plant is often found in large meadows and the habit is for it to stay firm and upright.

Floristry TipsVase life is up to two weeks and can be dried very successfully. Colours include pinks, blues, purples, yellows, orange, red, white. Look for bunches that have well over half of their florets opened and watch out for slimy, foul stems. A touch of bleach helps stop bacteria, for which they are prone. Replace water every three days. To dry, hang upside down in a cool, dry, well ventilated space.

Gardening NotesBoth annuals and perennials are available. They love full sun and very well-draining soil. Plant in autumn for a gorgeous summer display. Statice are frost tolerant and fairly hardy in most conditions.

The Language of Flowers OracleTime to change but you will need to adapt as things will not possibly be to your liking or current wishes. Something from your past is about to return.

Magickal BotanicalUse in spells and magick work to ground, centre and calm energies. Supports change and will illuminate possibilities and opportunities for new paths forward. Select colours to match intentions.

Cosmos will support better communication, inspire peace and tranquillityand are a lovely way to express your commitment to loving someone.

MAGICKAL BOTANICALfrom ‘The Book of Flower Spells’Cosmos Communication Improvement SpellCosmos Flowers provide opportunities for communication and coherency. They also offer peace and tranquillity, which is obviously beneficial when communication is difficult due to raised emotions. This spell is very helpful at times when you feel you are not being clearly heard by another person/s or even an institution or company. While you cannot energetically change their opinion, you can raise energy to ensure you are better understood so that a fair outcome is more likely.

The SpellLay your cloth out neatly and create a bridge-like pattern with your flowers. This should look roughly like an arch. At either end of the arch, place a bell.Take out your pen and paper and write whatever it is that you need understood. Be as clear as possible. It is okay to rewrite this a few times until you are happy with it.Ring the first bell and then say:Bell, take my words,Loud, clear and true.Then read what you have written.Ring the second bell and say:So may they be heardLoud, clear and true.Place the flowers in a clear vase (this will ensure clarity of your words) with fresh water and place it on top of your message. When the flowers are spent, put them with your folded message into a beautiful bottle with 4/5 rain/distilled water and 1/5 glycerine. Seal the bottle. Whenever you wish your message to be heard, ring a bell and shake your bottle.

BOTANICAL HISTORYNative to South America, it has been a popular garden flower over the years and a horse feed. The name cosmos was bestowed upon it by Spanish mission priests in Mexico due to the evenly placed petals and come to us from the Greek ‘Kosmos’ which means ‘order of the world.’

GARDENING NOTESA self-seeding annual, they do tend to become a weed and I have a few blow-ins myself in my garden. If you do/can plant, then sow direct in place and chose a sunny spot with free-draining soil for the best flowering. Cosmos are very hardy and require almost no additional care and tolerate most frost-free conditions. They will blossom between summer and autumn.

FLORISTRY TIPSA really lovely country-style flower that can be used in casual bouquets and rearrangements. Vase life is up to 10 days and are best purchased when the petals are just beginning to open. They will continue to unfurl completely. Be very mindful to remove foliage below waterline to avoid speeding the life of the arrangement.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS ORACLENow is the time to say things that you need/want to say to another. Harmony and balance are being offered now but you need to be a part of the equation, it isn’t going to happen on its own. Speak up and step up!

aka Crab Claw, Lobster Claw, Parrot Flower ~Very good at helping you find ways to make changes in your life and in illuminating new ideas.

THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS ORACLEInspirations are coming, (thick and fast!) and you may need to decide which you will follow. The answer to a question or situation is close at hand and whatever it may be, will perhaps not be able to be changed.

BOTANICAL HISTORYA tropical plant, related to the banana and ginger and are native to South and Central America. There are well over 500 varieties and what most of us assume are the flowers of these plants are actually brightly coloured bracts (modified leaves). The flowers are often very tiny and held within these bracts. The name Heliconia comes to use from the word ‘helix’ which means spiral and relates to the shapes the bracts and flowers produce.

GARDENING NOTESThese are a tropical plant and so do well in full sun for best flowering, but will tolerate semi shade. Mulch, feed and water well and provide a moist well-draining soil. They grow from a rhizome with most flowering from summer to autumn and into winter. Summer is the best time to plant and you will need to be in an area that is frost free and rather warm.

FLORISTRY TIPSVase life is about 10 days and colours include red, orange, yellows, pink, maroon, green. Recut stems before placing in water and display away from full sun and draughts and avoid cold. They do like an occasional misting. They will not open further once cut from the plant.

MAGICKAL BOTANICAL Heliconia will work very well in spells that are seeking solutions and inspiration. They are particularly good in spells involving tracing the image of the flower (bracts) and repeating a chant with each spiralling section. If you are looking to change something, include the plant or its image in your magick work.

In many traditions, Mugwort is considered a plant of protection, especially against evil spirits, witchcraft and for protection of the home.

In Japan, it is used by some to rid the body of the forces/spirits which cause illness. Native American use includes wearing mugwort to prevent the influence of evil spirits.

The use as a herb which assists divination is fairly widespread. Teas and incenses are said to promote psychic and clairvoyant abilities and creating a mist or wash to bath divination tools can cleanses, protect and boost their energies. Astral projection and prophetic dreams can be supported by sleeping with mugwort in a pillow.Flora Danica [G.C. Oeder et al], fasicle 20, t. 1176 (1761-1883)

The common name is derived from it's use to flavour beer before the use of hops. As the family latin name suggests, it is strongly associated with the Goddess Artemis and it is an interesting exploration through herbal lore and the use of mugwort in anything from **female fertility to the healing of wounds from wild animals. Mugwort is also a natural insect repellant and can also be made up into a general household cleaner.

Perhaps my favourite piece of Mugwort Botanical Lore comes from the Ancient Romans: If you face a very long walk or day of walking (as their soldiers often did), place a piece of mugwort in each of your shoes before sunrise. This is said to not only stop your feet hurting but will keep you going as long as you must!

Gardening Notes

Oh yes you can grow mugwort, it really is fairly easy. Although it will prefer sun, it can tolerate semi shade and make sure you have soil well-drained but a little on the moist side. You may prefer a large pot as they have a fast spreading root system which will, (as with others of this family), adversely affect neighbouring plants. The roots actually leech out chemicals which will kill off the roots of other plants. Native to Africa, Europe and parts of Asia, this is a tall perennial shrub that can grow up to1.5m (5ft) in height. Leaves are a dark green with a smooth upper side and an underside covered in fine matted white hairs. Flowers are tiny and red-brown or yellow-green.

Oracle MeaningsStep back and observe because you are being giving the opportunity to find pathways to the freedom you desire. Meditation, divination and visionary practices will help you find and explore major themes right now. You are being reminded to take heed of an intuitive experience or message that you may of either ignored or not really understood. Now, today, is the time to trust what you feel inside, what you know to be your personal truth and take the road to freedoms it will offer. Remember, what is right for others will not necessarily be right for you. Listen to your own heart.

Mugwort Freedom SpellMugwort is mostly used in visionary work and can be used to improve psychic abilities and to enhance dreams and visions. Hung over doorways, it will repel evil and negativity. Mugwort can be made into a very effective wash to smudge magical divination tools such as crystal balls, pendulums and scrying mirrors. The smoke can also be used to empower oracle and tarot decks. In this spell you will be drinking a little Mugwort as part of a spell. Mugwort was used originally to flavour beers.

THE SPELLTake your glass of beer/sparkling spring water outside and stir in a mugwort and say,“Freedom and paths open for me.”Drop in the slice of lemon or lime and say, “Alive and awaken and away I shall be!”Drink the beer/sparking spring water and drip the last few drops onto the ground and say, “This is the start, the journey begun.”

bunches of blessings,

Cheralyn 🌻

*all information for educational purposes only

**PLEASE NOTE: pregnant woman must not handle or consume mugwort as it can bring on contractions.

Spellcasting Basics1. Select or create your spell. This can be a spell in this book or you could write your own. 2. Gather your ingredients.Ensure that you have everything ready and that it has been sourced ethically and with positive intention. Cleanse any tools or items by passing through running water or a smudging smoke.3. Create a magickal and safe space.Limit distractions and cleanse by smudging with sage or the like or misting with botanicals created for this purpose. If indoors, open windows and doors to let negative energy out. Sit or stand, centred and quiet and visualise a white, clear bubble surrounding you and your space and keeping anything negative out. 4. Focus.Some call this part of spellcasting intention and it is your complete commitment tothe energy and the outcome that you desire. Focus will assist you to keepyour energy and your everyday commitment to the change that you are trying toachieve. Spells do not work on their own, they need your energy, focus and action.Think about what you are doing and hone your focus as sharply as possible on yourdesired outcome. 5. Raise the Energy.Focus will raise energy, as will the actual steps of each spell whether it be an incantation you make or a musical sound or action you create. You may wish to raise additional energy to begin with and this can be done by ringing bells, beating drums, raising your hands, singing or simply visualising energy rising from the ground, from above, from wherever your preference is and working with it. 6. Cast your spell.Follow the instructions in the spell that you are casting. 7. Close your magick space.Thank the earth, thank the plants you have used and close the space. You can do this by making noise and visualising the closing of the space. Clapping hands, stamping feet, beating drums, are all popular ways of doing this. Have a glass of water to bring yourself back to the now and ensure you cleanse any tools you have used and that you return to earth any botanical items used. 8. Journal.Whether it be a journal, a diary, a book of shadows, a grimoire, however you wish to contain your notes and experiences, I do suggest that you write your spell down along with your personal notes somewhere and that you add to them over time. This helps give the spell more energy and you more focus.

Pink Snapdragon(Antirrhinum majus)Some of the meanings of these delightful cottage flowers are truth~telling, grace, secrets and given to another ~ "I long for you". All Snapdragons also mean deceptiveness.

Botanical History Snapdragons are a European native plant. The botanical name, 'Antirrhinum', comes to us from Greek. The word anti meaning 'like' and 'rrhinum' -'snout'. the flowers have been extensively cultivated to produce various sized plants as well as colours. Originally Snapdragons were only white and purple. An oil was produced from the seed in Russia that has the look and consistency of olive oil and used in place of butter.

FloristryThey dislike being overcrowded in the garden and so too in floral displays as they are very prone to mould due to their close growing individual flowers on each stem. Snapdragons are very sensitive to ethylene, (ensure spent flowers are removed that are near them and do not place near fruit or vegetables). Snapdragons could be used as both a filler and if longer cultivars are available, as a line flower.

Gardening NotesThese are classic annual flowers that bloom from Summer through to Autumn and provide a bright boost in colour throughout most styles of gardens, but they are regarded as a weed in some areas so please check with your local council as to the restrictions/suitability before planting.

Magickal BotanicalIt is believed that carrying a flower in your pocket will make you more attractive. In Germany, hanging a bunch over a babies crib will ensure that they are not fearful when they grow up. In Russia, the seeds are believe to help protect against spells, curses, evil and witchcraft.

Spellcasting Snapdragons are a good addition in spells that seek to cease gossip, deception and encourage truth. They can also be used to help keep secrets or to uncover them. Other uses (especially pink) ~ to increase attractiveness, to attract love and to boost energy.

Flower OracleSnapdragons (particularly pink) can indicate that a proposal of commitment (love, work or personal interest) is forthcoming. They can also let you know that you need to find the truth of a matter before you can move forward with any plans.

It's a busy week with my work as I complete illustrations for my fourth Flower deck which will be released early next year and I'm sure being lost each day in the dreamy tones of spring in these delicate watercolours is no coincidence. I have found I work best when what I am creating aligns with the turning seasons, with what is occurring in my garden and environment. The energy, messages and wisdom I am then sharing through my writing and art is pure and clear.

Today in the garden ~

artwork I'm creating for my fourth flower oracle deck ~

A few Flowers in my garden this week ~

Snapdragons!AntirrhinumI planted these out last year and it is a joy to see their return. Chattering to each other in a quiet corner of my back garden, they seem to hold court while watching over their soon to arrive flower friends, daisy, jasmine and cornflower. The Language of Flowers: truth~telling, grace, secrets, "I long for you"

A tiny Snapdragon visitor ~

Bottlebrush CallistemonOh it is time for cleansing away the sleepiness of winter, of letting go of the dream~state and awakening and so Bottlebrush is making a most welcome appearance not only in my garden but naturally everywhere! The Language of Flowers: balance, cleansing, clarity "I understand"

PigfaceCarpobrotus Nothing speaks to me of childhood summers really like these. They grew in abundance in the rockeries of my grandparents home. Perfectly strong, yet somehow a little unreal with their bright petals springing forth from leaves which to my eye, never really looked somehow matched to these flowers. The Language of Flowers: survival, tenacity, forgiveness "I forgive and let go"

CalendulaCalendula officinalisSo blessed with the love of this plant. She is growing so well nestled next to my Wormwood with brilliant orange faces greeting each dawn. The Language of Flowers: contentment, cleansing, healing "I am grateful"

And so the Veggie GardenIt is time to harvest the last of Winter and so prepare for Summer. Memories of rosy red tomatoes and crisp green lettuce are enticing me to being the preparation of the soil, to rest some areas, to work others so all will be ready. The chill is leaving our mornings and nights and the earth is opening, warming and ready to welcome the plants of the coming seasons.

Harvest this week:

CeleryWe have been enjoying celery for weeks and weeks but we are heading into a very abundant time and I'm loving adding it to juices and just about everything from frittatas to asian dishes.

Broccoli The time is over for nibbling as we delight in the very last of this year's crop. One of my all time favourite vegetables, I'm personally just about living on it and the taste is amazing. Steamed with a tiny bit of lemon juice ~ YUM!

HerbsWell I'm constantly harvesting herbs, its the best way to ensure they grow but right now I have a really bumper amount of thyme, rosemary, wormwood, vervain, calendula, parsley, rocket and society garlic.

may Nature always bless you but more importantly, may you always be a blessing to Nature bunches of love, Cheralyn❁

Cheralyn Darcey is a passionate gardener and botanical history author and artist who loves sharing her three plus decades wealth of flowers and plant wisdom, stories and knowledge through her publications, presentations and workshops.

This weekend I will be presenting a workshop at Sydney's wonderful Festival of Dreams at 3:30pm Saturday. I'll be sharing all things Flowers, Plants and Gardening and how you can find personal healing, guidance and a little magick with Nature ~